Christian Janssen is an Olympic pairs figure skater who has had back luck a year earlier. He has dropped his partner while doing the overhead lifts and that partner has left him even though Christian is the one injured during that accident on ice. Christian loves skating but he doesn't trust himself anymore. When his friend Stephen's sister Famke deVries agree to be his partner, Christian is overjoyed.

Famke, too, has experienced a loss in her life. The teacher she liked and went to New York to train with has passed away, leaving her feeling stranded. Plus, she is heartbroken when she sees how much her father with Alzheimer's has deteriorated. She finds Chris supporting her and being a friend both to her and her brother.

The story opens with Famke arriving from New York and Stephen and Christian meeting her at the Shiphol Airport in Amsterdam. The attraction between Christian and Famke start there and grow to love through the progress of the story. The story question is: Will Famke and Christian be able to work together and win the national competition to represent their country in the Olympics, despite the emotional baggages they carry and the powerful attraction they feel to each other?

The setting of Gifts is Amsterdam, very close to the Christmas season. The highlights of life in Amsterdam, the streets, addresses, food and local customs enhance the story with accuracy, such as a visit to the Kris Kringle market and Famke getting clogs with Christian for her ailing father, brother, Christian, and herself, for the Christmas celebration. Usage of Dutch words and phrases, such as Sinterklaas for Santa Claus add greatly to the enjoyment of the story.

Although the storyline is uncomplicated and the characters not too many, this love story is a joy to read. The book is written with strong insight into the main characters and core situations, and it is adorned with cultural color and ice-skating savvy. The language is used well, and word choices are impeccable. The lack of sex scenes is a plus as this concentrates the focus on the central story and marks this novelette as suitable reading even for early teens.

enjoyment and taking a peek into ice-skating and life in Amsterdam.

is StephBee - House Targaryen , the author of many successful books.

It is suitable practically for all ages over 11, and it is a sweet love story, insightful into human condition.

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Created Jul 30, 2013 at 5:17pm • Submit your own review...